Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 June 2010
359 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason that 1,719 teachers were removed from the Teaching Council between 28 March 2008 and 27 March 2009; and the person who addresses issues involving difficulties with the Teaching Council. [24578/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 34 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 states that where a registered teacher fails to apply for renewal of registration, the Council shall, upon the expiration of his or her registration, inform him or her that he or she shall be removed from the register within one month unless an application is received for renewal of registration within that period along with the fee for late renewal of registration: Where a registered teacher fails to apply for renewal of registration in accordance with the Act, the Council shall remove the teacher from the register. A registered teacher who has been removed from the register in accordance with the Act may apply to the Council for registration.
In the 2008/2009 Annual Report of the Teaching Council, (page 12), it is stated that some 1719 teachers were removed from the register between 28/03/2008 and 27/03/2009 for non-renewal of registration. These persons, who would have received three separate letters requesting them to renew their registration, did not do so prior to the final deadline and were removed from the register in accordance with section 34(1) of the Teaching Council Act, 2001. As stated earlier, these persons may apply again to the Council for registration.
As the Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the registration of teachers any query with regard to registration/renewal of registration should be addressed directly to the Council. The contact details for the Council are available on the website www.teachingcouncil.ie.
